An estimated 250 classic and custom cars were expected to be parked on the lawn Saturday outside the Enbridge offices in Sarnia to help boost the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton campaign.
The company hosted its fourth car show in support of the United Way and a parade of pampered and polished vehicles rolled into the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park during the morning. The show runs from 9 am to 2 pm
Each vehicle entered in the show paid $10 and donations where accepted from members of the public who dropped by.
“It looks pretty amazing,” said Alissa Hudy, director of the eastern region for Enbridge.
“They just keep coming. I got here just after 8 am and there were two rows, already.”
Hudy and her husband relocated a year ago to Sarnia from Alberta. She said a 1982 Grand Prix her husband has owned since 1984 was expected to join the show.
There was a 50-50 draw plus a booth selling coffee and donuts, and there were plans for pizza in the afternoon, Hudy said.
“We’re just really happy and pleased that so many people are here,” she said.
The car show began as an alternative to smaller events Enbridge employees organized annually to help raise money for the United Way, including chili cook-offs and silent auctions, said Amy Robinson, a member of the car show committee.
“Now, we just concentrate everything on one big day,” she said.
“People were looking for something different than what we used to do,” said committee member Matt Miller. Cathy Fabbri and Hudy are also on the committee.
“I opened my mouth and said, ‘Why don’t we try a car show?’ We have all this space at the research park,” Miller said.
It rained the first year but about 50 cars showed up anyway, said Robinson.
“We’ve had beautiful weather ever since,” she added.
Miller said one advantage of the car show is that it allows more “community engagement” with the company’s United Way fundraising efforts.
Enbridge held three annual car shows before the pandemic began and Saturday’s was the first one since public health restrictions eased.
“Enbridge is a huge supporter of the United Way,” Hudy said. “They do a lot of fantastic work in the community.”
The United Way reported it has already raised 15 per cent of its $1.65-million campaign target, although the campaign doesn’t officially begin until the Day of Caring set for Sept. 20.
The campaign helps support 30 programs delivered by 17 agencies in the Sarnia area.
“The last couple of years have been really tough for everybody so the more we can contribute to the community, the better,” Hudy said.
Enbridge has about 100 employees in Sarnia working in its pipeline and natural gas distribution operations.
Alongside the cars, Enbridge had its Sarnia-based pipeline patrol helicopter on display at the show.
Pilot Paul Grech said it flies between Sarnia, Montreal and Hamilton on a schedule set by the national energy board to ensure safety of the environment and the public.
“We have the ability to patrol overtop of the pipeline at a decent height so that we can visually observe what’s going on,” he said.
The helicopter, an Airbus H125, has a hanger at the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport.
“It’s got a good range and good speed, and good visibility,” he said.
Originally from London, Crech has been flying helicopters for 23 years, including several years based in the Western Arctic.